On Saturday, June 10, 2006, Saint Francis Xavier School held its eighth grade graduation. Fourteen students received their awards and celebrated this important milestone. In acknowledgement of his history of excellence throughout his school career, Isaac Potvin was named Valedictorian of the Class of 2006.

Isaac has attended Saint Francis Xavier School since Pre-School. He comes from a family of alumni — his father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all attended Saint Francis Xavier School. The recipient of many awards, Isaac credited his teachers who encouraged him to do his best. In his graduation speech, Isaac said, “I thank them (teachers) for their dedication and for preparing our class for high school. They have taught us so much. They should be appreciated just as much as the graduates.” Isaac received the Rick Marcotte Character Award and awards in the following subjects: Social Studies, Algebra, Science, Religion, French and History. Isaac particularly enjoys studying science and won the Science Award in March at the Vermont State Science Fair. His topic: “Testing the effects of different pollutants on aquatic life.”

Isaac said that the education he received here at Saint Francis Xavier has definitely prepared him for high school and beyond. Isaac will attend Rice Memorial High School in the fall. However, he added, “a piece of me will miss Saint Francis Xavier School.” In his speech, Isaac told his classmates, “Grade school is finally over with but high school is going to be a new beginning and a new chapter in our lives. This is where it really counts. So give it your all and never give up.”

To Isaac, and to all the members of the Class of 2006, best wishes for a bright future!

A Year To Remember

Dear Alumni, Friends and Generous Supporters of Saint Francis Xavier:

This school year began, as most years do, with many plans, high hopes and some challenges. I am very pleased to say that as I look back on the year that our plans are on track, our hopes were exceeded and our challenges were overcome. So many wonderful things are happening here and the community at large is recognizing the achievements and academic excellence at Saint Francis Xavier School.

In June, fourteen outstanding students graduated from our school and many of them received well — deserved awards. Isaac Potvin, our Valedictorian, exemplifies the spirit of excellence at our school. This year was a bit different for me in that my daughter, Olivia, was part of the graduating class of 2006. I am so proud of the education she received at Saint Francis Xavier School. Not only does she have a solid foundation in required content, but the study skills and work ethic she learned here enabled her to become the salutatorian of her class. I am certain that she, her friend Isaac, and all her classmates will continue to excel in high school and beyond. We wish them well and look forward to hearing of their successes in the future.

Saint Francis Xavier students achieved some impressive awards this year. Emily Davis and Brigitte Gagne earned Silver Medals, and Isaac Potvin received a $100 award from the Green Mountain Water Environment Association in the Vermont State Science Fair. In the Stock Market Game, a nationwide competition that runs for 10 weeks in the fall and in the spring, Saint Francis had the top three teams in the State of Vermont Elementary Division this fall, and had another team place 3rd in the spring. We participated in the American Math Competition this fall, and our students scored very well. Ryan Crook was acknowledged nationally for his score. Two of our students, Mary Crowley and Pierette Lumumba received statewide recognition in the Vermont Foreign Language Poster Contest. Finally, this spring Olivia Horton received the Best Essay of 2006 from the Knights of Columbus for their annual Essay Contest.

Thanks to a grant from the Amy E. Tarrant Foundation, we were able to expand our art, music and drama programs. We added chorus to the music curriculum and the students performed beautifully for the Christmas and Spring pageants. And in athletics, we added another team sport to our roster. Thanks to the sponsorship of Hettena Wright and Horton CPAs, we now have a girls’ softball team for the first time in history of the school.

These are just a few examples of the many ways in which our community comes together for the benefit of our students. Every day, people cast their votes of confidence in our school in little ways and in big. On behalf of my family and all of the families in our school community, thank you for your help and support.

Sincerely,
Maria Horton, Administrative Team

Our Mission

St. Francis Xavier School is a Catholic School. Our mission is to educate the whole person in the light of the Catholic faith. We instill Christian values, academic excellence and personal responsibility in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment. St. Francis Xavier School is a special place where the pursuit of lifelong learning is nurtured by the active participation of students, parents and teachers; where caring and concern for one another foster responsible citizenship; where everyone is encouraged to be a part of a warm, supportive, growing community.

St. Francis Xavier School Annual Financial Report

United Way

Many of our donors have chosen to make their gift to St. Francis Xavier School via the United Way. We are very grateful for these designated donations. You,Too, Can Make a Donation to St. Francis Xavier School Through the United Way.

The United Way campaign season is almost here. If you are donating to the United Way by an outright donation or through payroll deduction, you may designate that Saint Francis Xavier School be the recipient of your United Way dollars. We are a nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue code 501 (c) (3). If you have any questions, please contact our Financial Development Office at 802.655.7690 or Email

Kudos, Kudos

The George W. Mergens Foundation and Paul Mergens, Foundation President, received the Outstanding Foundation Award at the New England Association of Catholic Development Officers Spring 2006 Conference in March at Stonehill College, Easton, MA.

The NEACDO Recognition Awards are designed to publicly acknowledge individuals and organizations for their extraordinary commitment to Catholic schools, parishes and institutional philanthropy. The Outstanding Foundation Award recognizes a foundation for its long-term contributions to Catholic institutions. The George W. Mergens Foundation has provided substantial support to Saint Francis Xavier School for scholarships, endowment funding, new programs, capital campaigns, computer upgrades and IT resources. Congratulations to the George W. Mergens Foundation and to Mr. Paul Mergens.

A Big Thank You To...

...our Friday night Bingo folks! Your hard work resulted in $26,500 raised to benefit Saint Francis Xavier School. Thanks to everyone who volunteers and all who play Bingo every Friday.

In Appreciation

Recently, Saint Francis Xavier School received the following financial support to replace our fifty year old, energy inefficient windows in the oldest part of our building. The entire Saint Francis Xavier Community is grateful for these generous donations.

Dear Friends of Saint Francis Xavier,

In 25 years as a fund raiser, I have often been asked, “How do you do that? I could never ask anyone for money.”

Fund raising is fun for me. First of all, I believe wholeheartedly in the mission of Saint Francis Xavier School. Secondly, fund raising is about “friend raising”, and I have met many “friends of Saint Francis Xavier School” in the past two years. And finally, it is so exciting to see visible signs of the generosity of all of you who are a vital part of the success of Saint Francis Xavier School. For example, the generosity of Ms. Amy E. Tarrant enabled us to start a cultural center at our school including a revamped music room, including instruments and books; new speakers and microphones for the stage; a newly refinished stage and storage area; and an expanded art room with additional supplies and reference books. Still to come is new lighting for our stage sometime in 2007.

Have you driven by the school recently and noticed the changes to the outside of the building? Due to the generosity of the Richard and Deborah Tarrant Foundation, the Knights of Columbus and the Conseil St. Laurent, Inc., we have been able to contract for new windows for the oldest part of our building. This wonderful project will not only improve the outside appearance of our school, but will save money in those ever increasing energy costs during our fall and winter months.

Thanks to the Fanny Allen Corporation we were able to expand our Health and Wellness Center at the school with the addition of a renovated Health Room and hiring a part time school nurse. Lastly, thanks to the George W. Mergens Foundation, we were able to provide tuition and other financial assistance to students and their families who want their children to have a Saint Francis Xavier School education but are struggling financially to achieve that goal.

However, the most important gifts are the ones all of you send in. We are very grateful for every gift large and small. Our faculty, staff, parents and friends care deeply about Saint Francis Xavier School. I have been inspired by your loyalty and hard work to make things happen. We are so blessed to have your continuing support. Please know how thankful we are for all that you do for our school.

That is why I find my job as a fund raiser so rewarding and so . . . fun.

Sincerely,
Kathleen A. Conlin, Director of Financial Development

Thanks To Everyone Who Has Contributed To The Success Of Our School

This has been a wonderful year at St. Francis Xavier School. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the continuing success of our school. Contributions came in many forms — monetary donations, memorial tributes, volunteer donations of time and energy in support of our events and gifts of in-kind products. We are also grateful to the Saint Francis Xavier Home and School Association for organizing and operating activities vital to our students. We are very fortunate that each and every one of you has such a strong commitment to St. Francis Xavier School.

Finally, we extend congratulations to the 2006 Graduates of Saint Francis Xavier School, who have been the focus of the generosity of so many people.

Donors To Saint Francis Xavier School

The Saint Francis Xavier School Faculty and Staff are grateful to our students and their families and to all our benefactors.

Annual Fund	$40,454
Foundations	$372,000
Scholarships	$70,030
Memorial Gifts	$10,735
Endowment	$13,120
Bingo	$36,500

Conseil St. Laurent, Inc., Saint-Jean-Baptiste	$30,000
Winooski, Knights of Columbus, St. Stephens Council #2284	$10,000

A Leader in Academic Excellence — Isaac Potvin Valedictorian of the Class of 2006